The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday said the Israeli military appeared to be “cutting off North Gaza completely from the rest of the Gaza Strip“, as intense hostilities continue in the region.
Adrian Zimmerman, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sub-delegation in Gaza, expressed grave concern for civilians caught in the conflict.
“Families are facing unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion,” Zimmerman said in a statement. “People must be able to flee safely, without facing further danger”.
He emphasised that many, including the sick and disabled, are unable to leave and remain protected under international humanitarian law.
“Every person displaced has the right to return home in safety,” Zimmerman added.
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the military unit overseeing aid and commercial shipments to Gaza, defended its operations in Jabalia. In a statement, COGAT said the actions were targeting terrorist infrastructure and operatives embedded in civilian areas.
The Israeli body also stated it was facilitating humanitarian aid, particularly medical assistance, to residents. (ıncyprus)
